Arsene Wenger: Arsenal won't rest stars in Europe League quest

LONDON - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said he will take his strongest team to Sweden for Thursday's Europa League game against Ostersund and backed Alexandre Lacazette to start scoring again.

The Europa League now represents Arsenal's best chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League after the derby loss to Tottenham on Saturday left them sixth in the Premier League.

Wenger said he would not rotate his players against Ostersund, with the Gunners having next weekend off after being eliminated from the FA Cup.

"I would have anyway gone for it, especially as we have no game between the two matches," Wenger said.

"I will play the normal team because it is one of the opportunities we have especially because we do not play in the FA Cup. There is no reason why I should rest players."

Striker Lacazette missed two good chances to equalise in the 1-0 loss at Wembley after coming on as a substitute, but is expected to start at Ostersund as new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is cup-tied in the Europa League.

Wenger admitted France international Lacazette was struggling for confidence at the moment but said: "He has gone through difficult periods before.

The murals are dreadful, the gym is cold, one ring is tiny, the paint is peeling from the walls and a rotten pair of stinking boxing gloves occupies the bench in the changing room. The subterranean world of Chris Eubank Jr.
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